Javier Famania, Micah Franklin, Jainardo Batista Sterling, Manuel Alejandro Carro, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Kenneth Yu, Laura Lengnick

[link to transcript]

s4e11
March 19, 2026

Mikey Cullen, a spoken word poet from Dublin, Ireland, discusses the vibrant performance poetry scene in Ireland, rooted in the country’s rich oral tradition. He shares his journey into poetry, which began as a personal coping mechanism during a challenging time in his life. Encouraged by a friend, he performed at a storytelling event, leading to a viral video and subsequent opportunities in the poetry and hip-hop scenes. He has been collaborating with various artists, exploring different musical genres and been involved in projects addressing social issues like homelessness, drug addiction, and the housing crisis in Dublin, drawing parallels between the Irish and Palestinian experiences.

A report from L&BH intern, Javier Famania, on why he admires Bad Bunny.

NEW MUSIC YOU WON’T HEAR ANYWHERE ELSE!
Hernan Ramiro Rodriguez Sierra, formerly known as Jay Rodriguez, a live performance of his arrangement of John Coltrane’s “Dear Lord,” featuring Jainardo Batista Sterling and Manuel Alejandro Carro, in celebration of Coltrane’s upcoming 100th birthday.

Mikey Cullen, a dynamic Dublin-based poet and multidisciplinary artist, blends his talent as a teacher, actor, filmmaker, and lyricist to create compelling poetry that resonates personally and universally. Known for his emotionally charged performances, Mikey’s work has been featured in various anthologies and publications, and he has performed at major Irish festivals. He actively participates…

Kenneth Yu is an award-winning author from the Philippines whose short fiction has seen publication in his home country as well as overseas in the USA, Canada, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Micah Franklin Johnson, an artist, athlete, and podcast producer from Brooklyn, embraces evolution in his creative journey. Raised in Harlem, he engages with the Summer Youth Program and finds inspiration in his explorations of Chinatown and Brooklyn, aspiring to impact the creative landscape despite his youth.

Laura Lengnick, a renowned soil scientist, has three decades of experience in sustainability in U.S. agriculture. She has received national recognition for her work, including a USDA Honor Award. As the founder of Cultivating Resilience, she collaborates on climate resilience projects and authored the influential book, Resilient Agriculture.

Sarah Sophie is an activist, producer, writer, filmmaker, cultural organizer, creative director, and aerialist. Founder and Creative Director of celebrated political cabaret group, The Citizens Band, she is the Editor-At-Large for Violet Book. Her writing can be found at Hello Giggles, Rookie Magazine, W Magazine, Vogue, Refinery29, The Cut, Cosmo.com, Violet Book, Stylist, Rizzoli’s publication…

Martha Cinader is a poet and author living in Harlem, NY. Her young adult novel, Marq and the Queen Fish, is forthcoming in 2026 from Atmosphere Press. Cinader is the founder and Director of the Listen & Be Heard Network, where she hosts and produces The Listen & Be Heard Hour, and Beyond Borders, both non-commercial podcasts and syndicated radio shows…

The Shan Van (feat. Mikey Cullen) was released on February 7, 2025 by Vocht Records as a part of the album The Shan Van (feat. Mikey Cullen) – EP

This anthology is a collection of unpredictable stories of various genres—fantasy, science fiction, crime, horror and the supernatural—that touch on courage and fear, loss and resolution, denial and honesty, despair and hope…from an author who writes about being human in a world where the unseen is suddenly exposed.

CREDITS– CO-HOSTS & PRODUCERS: Martha Cinader, Hernán Ramiro Rodriguez Sierra, Tony Robles. FEATURED GUEST: Mikey Cullen. ALSO FEATURED: Javier Semania, Micah Franklin, Kenneth Yu, Laura Lengnick, Yvette Murray (voice of banned book theme.) POETRY: Mikey Cullen, Martha Cinader. MUSIC: Dear Lord, by John Coltrane, featuring Jay Rodriguez, Ricky Rodriguez, Bill Ware, Jainardo Batista Sterling and Manuel Alejandro Carro, Mothaflower. SOUNDTRACK, MIXING, MASTERING, SOUND DESIGN: Hernán Ramiro Rodriguez Sierra. Executive Producer, Martha Cinader.

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